Governance That Guides Better Decisions
On the radio
Rachel, Darcy, and Emily from the Governance Hub recently spoke with Triple M breakfast radio to discuss who we are and what we offer.
Empowering Tasmanian NFPs through accessible governance information and practical legal support.
Who we are
UTAS law students and legal professionals.
The Governance Hub is a Tasmanian Incorporated Association. We were formed from a vision to help NFPs easily access clear and helpful information on their regulatory obligations and individual committee member or director duties.
The law is complex and NFPs might interact with multiple state and commonwealth regulators. Our purpose is to provide practical governance resources to Tasmanian NFPs which are easy to access and understand.
The Governance Hub committee members are senior undergraduate and postgraduate law students at the University of Tasmania or recently admitted lawyers. They are supported by governance experts as they enhance their own practical corporate governance skills.
About governance
Governance is the framework and processes an organisation has to support sound decision making and to support the execution of those decisions. It helps guide effective strategies and organisational activities and decisions.
Good governance
Good governance avoids being reactive and avoids wasted, time, energy and money.
Poor governance
Poor governance distracts committee members from the NFP's core purpose and can lead to costly problems.
The Governance Hub Team
Dr Rachel Baird (Founding Member and Executive Director of Governance Hub Inc)
Rachel runs the Corporations Law unit at the School of Law and is committed to introducing her students to practical elements of corporate governance. She draws upon years of experience serving on boards, working with boards as an Executive and as an external advisor.
Rachel is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors course. She initiated The Governance Hub with the aim of supporting Tasmania’s thousands of NFPs to access free governance resources to improve knowledge of obligations and capacity to deal with governance matters so they can focus on their core purposes.
Donovan Castelyn (Association Member and Director of the Tax Clinic)
Donovan is the Co-Founder of the Curtin Tax Clinic, Australia’s first pro-bono tax clinic and the impetus for the National Tax Clinic Program and a Senior Industry Fellow – Taxation at the University of Tasmania (UTAs) and Director of the UTAs Tax Clinic.
Donovan holds higher degrees and qualifications in law and commerce, is admitted as a Lawyer of the Supreme Court of Western Australia and is recognised as a Chartered Tax Adviser and Chartered Accountant.
Donovan has also been recognised as one of Australia’s leading young tax practitioners, having won the Tax Institute’s Tax Adviser of the Year (Emerging Tax Star) category in 2020 and currently serves as a Tasmanian State Councillor with the Tax Institute.
Donovan is also pursuing his PhD in financial and tax literacy with a focus on vulnerable persons.
Professor Gino dal Pont (Association Member and Interim Dean, School of Law)
Gino is Interim Dean of the School of Law. He has been a career academic for almost 35 years, and has studied in both Australia and the United States.
Gino has written multiple books, which are regularly cited in the courts. His interest in governance is apparent, in particular, in his books on associations law and charity law. Gino also taught tax law for some 15 years.
Matilda Grant – Committee Member
Matilda is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Laws and Arts (Sociology), currently assisting in the provision of advice on public and administrative law across Government Departments. She has developed knowledge in sport administration and governance developed through work with legal and integrity teams in a National Sporting Organisation and community sporting organisations, where she focuses on member protection, women’s inclusion, and grassroots recruitment. Her leadership roles in community sport and student societies have developed demonstrated skills in stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and driving positive community outcomes.
Matilda is deeply motivated by assisting organisations in leveraging good governance, administration, and strategy to foster inclusion, resilience, and long-term growth.
Emily Heathcote – Committee Member
Emily Heathcote is a University of Tasmania law graduate with First Class Honours and is currently completing her practical legal training through the Tasmanian Centre for Legal Studies.
She serves as the Public Officer of Hobart Run Club Inc and has a strong interest in not-for-profit governance. Emily is passionate about The Governance Hub project, recognising a clear lack of accessible, practical support for incorporated associations in Tasmania. She is committed to helping community organisations understand and meet their legal obligations with confidence. She believes that good governance is essential to the success and sustainability of local associations and the communities they serve.
Darcy Heffernan – Committee Member
Darcy graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2024 with a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Laws. He is currently undertaking a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice whilst working at a local law firm, Groom Kennedy. The firm specialises in corporate and commercial law, and Darcy looks forward to developing his skills in these practice areas.
In his spare time Darcy enjoys spending time with friends, exploring all Tasmania has to offer, and getting back to the family beef cattle property in southern New South Wales whenever he can.
Thomas Jetson – Committee Member
Thomas is currently in his fifth and final year of a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Tasmania. He was awarded an academic prize attaining for the top mark in Corporations Law in 2024.
Thomas has a keen interest in promoting good governance and awareness of the possible consequences of poor governance. Outside of university and work, he enjoys spending time with family, friends and his pet cats, Sophie and Squeaky.
Joe Kelly – Committee Member
Joe is in his final semester of a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Tasmania. He has practical experience working as a paralegal in several law firms both in Tasmania and interstate. Joe studied Corporations Law in 2024 and has developed a keen interest in the subject and the governance processes within organisations. Joe is also a keen volleyball player and coach, participating at a national level both as a player and a coach.
Logan Stacey – Committee Member
Logan is a University of Tasmania law graduate with First Class Honours and is currently completing his practical legal training through the Tasmanian Centre for Legal Studies. He has a keen interest in corporate governance, contract management, and intellectual property and was awarded subject prizes in Intellectual Property Law and Corporations Law.
Logan has ‘hands-on’ experience in copy-editing, peer review, administration work and publishing. He is an avid reader of modern philosophy, sociology, ancient societies, and current global politics. Logan loves dogs, talking smack with my dad and dabbling in auctions.
Isabella Memed – Committee Member
Logan is a University of Tasmania law graduate with First Class Honours and is currently completing his practical legal training through the Tasmanian Centre for Legal Studies. He has a keen interest in corporate governance, contract management, and intellectual property and was awarded subject prizes in Intellectual Property Law and Corporations Law.
Logan has ‘hands-on’ experience in copy-editing, peer review, administration work and publishing. He is an avid reader of modern philosophy, sociology, ancient societies, and current global politics. Logan loves dogs, talking smack with my dad and dabbling in auctions.
What we do
Free governance support for Tasmanian NFPs
We work with and in the community to provide free accessible resources (facts sheets, webinars, clinics) on essential governance for NFP committees (or boards) and staff.
In this way, we support your committees, volunteer and paid staff to make a plan for success and to understand individual and organisational obligations.